Second Call for Papers

International Workshop of African Archaeobotany

Cairo, 9–11 November 2026
American University in Cairo

We are delighted to announce that the 11th International Workshop for African Archaeobotany will take place in Cairo (Egypt) from 9th–12th November 2026, hosted at the American University in Cairo. The conference invites the submission of abstracts for papers and posters related to human–plant interactions in Africa dealing with seed and wood/charcoal macro- and micro-remains, as well as genomic, geo-chemical, and ethnobotanical studies.

Conference research spans the entire African continent, covering diverse environments from Mediterranean to tropical forest and desert regions. We accept papers covering the entire temporal range of human experience.

The conference offers a multidisciplinary forum to present and discuss findings on current research. Interdisciplinary elements include historical, ethnological, anthropological, ethnographic, linguistic, molecular, and geochemical analyses related to ancient plant use. Themes encompass agriculture, food practices, crafts, funeral rituals, diffusion dynamics, trade, plant domestication, fuel management, landscape evolution, food security and sovereignty, and medicinal plant use.

Authors are invited to submit abstracts for oral or poster presentations of no longer than 500 words via this link by 1st November, 2025.

Proceedings will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

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Conference Program

Nov 9th–11th, 2026: Lectures at the American University in Cairo (including poster & lab sessions)

Nov 9th, 2026 – Evening: Keynote lecture by Professor Dorian Q. Fuller (venue TBA)

Nov 12th, 2026: Conference excursion

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Important Dates

The timeline between abstract submission and acceptance notice is specifically designed to allow sufficient time for participants to secure funding (where needed) and travel documents (where needed), both of which are frequently dependent on confirmation of acceptance.

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Conference Fees

Conference fees include conference package, conference lunches, coffee breaks, and welcome reception.
Farewell dinner and excursions will be paid separately

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Prof. Ahmed G. Fahmy Memorial Speaker Prize

Since 2015, the “Prof. Ahmed G. Fahmy Memorial Speaker” prize has been awarded to promising early career scholars from Africa.

The grant is open to any early career scholar, but preference is given to MA or PhD students, and to those planning on presenting a poster or oral communication.

Applications must be completed by January 15th, 2026 by sending a detailed Curriculum Vitae, a cover letter summarizing the research themes and main results obtained, and a recommendation letter from their supervisor to: iwaa2026cairo@gmail.com

In parallel, applicants may submit a proposal for oral or poster presentation by November 1st, 2025 through this link:
https://e.cglink.me/2kZ/s300006663

Conference Website: https://sites.google.com/view/iwaa2026/home
Conference Email: iwaa2026cairo@gmail.com

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Scientific Committee

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Organising Committee